Giving Out a Coworker's Cell Phone Number

While a coworker is on vacation with her family, your boss decides to call her. And knowing that the two of you are friends, he assumes you have her cell number (which you do). How do you respond?

(1) Lie and say that you don't have the number.

(2) Hand over the information; after all, this is your boss asking.

(3) Say that you'll leave a message on her voicemail asking her to call him.

Correct answer: (3) Since it's tough to choose between your boss and a friend, compromise. Tell your boss that you'll call your coworker and ask her to check in. If he demands to know the number himself, say this: "I would give it to you, Dave, but I promised I wouldn't share it without her permission." When you have a moment, check if there's a company policy requiring vacationers to leave contact information. If there is one, you have an obligation to cough up the number; your friend will likely understand and not be upset with you.

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